Parrots and Vultures and Penguins, Oh My!

For teachers, a cross-curricular unit on endangered species gave them a chance to teach a thematic unit through several core academic classes.

But for the three seventh-grade teams from —the Spartans, Knights and Titans—who got to do activities related to the theme, the unit was a hoot. Literally.

For instance, in language arts, students read Carl Hiaasen's novel, "Hoot," which is about middle-school students who attempt to save endangered burrowing owls. Students read the novel in "Literature Circles," a group reading activity in which they perform various roles and meet with their peers to work both independently and collaboratively to understand a work of literature.

For the advanced classes, differentiated instruction was provided for the  through the use of a student-choice project based on Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences in which they completed projects of their choice related to the novel based on their learning style.

The unit continued in algebra connections, where students created data displays such as double bar graphs to display data on various endangered species.

In English classes, students researched an endangered specials with the help of Amy Barbarino, library media specialist. Students used both electronic and print resources to gather information to create a research paper and works cited page on their animal.

Students studied the different biomes of the world in social studies, using the opportunity to enrich their understanding of endangered species and identify the various flora and fauna of each biome.

For science, students completed a variety of activities including PowerPoint presentations, Biome survival guides and advertisements for support groups to help save endangered species.

Art teacher Lisa Angle adopted the theme also, having students create observational drawings and pop art-inspired works featuring an endangered species.

The whole unit took flight on April 27 when educators from the National Aviary presented "Amazing Adaptations," a program where students and teachers alike learned about special features that help birds survive in their natural environment. Red the parrot, Preston the African penguin and Sirabi the vulture interacted with students to let them see different bird species.

This thematic unit is just one example of the many ways that Canonsburg Middle School students benefit from teaming, which allows teachers the time and support to work collaboratively, thus ensuring that students are making connections across the curriculum every day, according to teachers Rebecca Wolf and Julie Gaetano.